Assessment of radiology request form completion and its implications for patient safety at a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Abstract

Incomplete radiology request forms (RRFs) pose a significant risk to patient safety, diagnostic accuracy, and workflow efficiency. This study assessed the completeness of radiology request forms at a tertiary hospital in northern Nigeria to identify gaps that may compromise clinical communication. A descriptive cross-sectional audit of 1,200 radiology request forms was conducted at RSFUTH Dutse. Each form was evaluated for completeness of patient data, clinical information, and referring clinician details. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, and findings were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results revealed that only 61.8% of forms had complete patient identification, while 44.6% included adequate clinical history. Referring physician names and signatures were missing in 32% of cases, and date of request was absent in 27%. The overall form completion rate was 58.4%, indicating substantial gaps in communication between clinicians and radiologists. Incomplete request forms can delay diagnosis, increase radiation exposure, and affect patient outcomes. The study highlights the urgent need for continuous medical education, standardized form design, and institutional enforcement of documentation protocols to improve radiology request quality and ensure patient safety.